2021.06.08 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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noted the per year cap for the State was now $15,000. Councilmember Abdulle thanked paid-on-call firefighters for their tremendous and dedicated service to the community. He stated he was impressed that 21 firefighters were responding to each fire event in the City. Further discussion ensued regarding the maintenance costs for the fire apparatus. Councilmember Allen believed the price for fire equipment increases 5%per year. He commented on the cost to maintain aging fire equipment and how it becomes more cost effective to replace items early versus continuing to pay maintenance fees. He thanked Director Paetznick for his comprehensive presentation. He stated he appreciated the service the paid-on-call firefighters provided to the community. He wanted to see the City maintaining its competitive edge when it comes to paying its firefighters. He indicated he supported the City Council revisiting municipal contributions and questioned if staff was looking to see this begin in 2021 or 2022. Massopust reported this would depend upon the support this topic receives from the Council. He commented staff was proposing to begin the contribution again in 2021 and continuing in 2022. He stated a contribution would be made from the Community Reinvestment Fund for 2021. Councilmember Axberg thanked Director Paetznick for the detailed presentation. She thanked the firefighters for their tremendous service to the community. She indicated the City of New Brighton was very fortunate to have a successful and highly trained fire department. She explained her previous home in New Brighton experienced a house fire in 1999. She discussed how pensions have changed over the past two decades. She asked if the department had a retention issue at this time. She questioned why the Fire Relief Association was requesting an out of budget request, versus waiting until 2022. Paetznick explained the benefits of the relief association was addressed with paid-on-call firefighters up front. He indicated the members he has lost over the past five years have been non-vested, partially-vested and vested. He stated he wanted to work to draw people to being partially-vested because this became a retention tool. He commented he was requesting a contribution this year because without it, there would be a cap on the association's benefit level. Massopust explained the Community Reinvestment Fund was used for special projects that were not budgeted for the year. He indicated this fund would be the right option and noted this fund had adequate funds to cover a contribution in 2021. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas questioned what the PERA contribution was for City employees per year. Massopust stated this was 6% for City employees. He indicated the Police Department makes a higher contribution for their employees. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas discussed the change that occurred in 2013 which defunded the Fire Relief Fund. She inquired how the team took this news. Paetznick explained the relief association was pretty blind sided by this action. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented she has been involved with organizations that have pensions and conversations about stopping a contribution typically occur when funds are not healthy. She stated she appreciated the great work being done by the fire relief team and the tremendous health of their fund. She indicated she was disappointed by the previous Council's decision to defund the fire relief association and was pleased the Council was reconsidering this matter. She asked if there was a mandatory retirement age within the fire relief association. Paetznick explained within the New Brighton Fire Department there was a mandatory retirement age of 65. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information regarding the culture within the New Brighton Fire Department and how it was the City kept its paid-on-call volunteers. Paetznick stated firefighter was a team sport and the department typically hires members together for training and teamwork purposes. He reported the